It's going to be a much shorter drive for the local fashion faithful who've been making the trek up the 405 to Lanvin's West Coast flagship store in Beverly Hills.

The Parisian fashion house has just opened a boutique between Macy's and Nordstrom on the second level at South Coast Plaza. The store is the third California location, after the second outpost debuted a year and a half ago in Malibu Village.

At 1,220 square feet, the Costa Mesa boutique is larger than the one in Malibu but smaller than the Beverly Hills shop, and carries women's wear and all manner of shoes and accessories, but not menswear. Sleek in ivory and black, it bears some of the retro-inspired signatures of other Lanvin boutiques, including an art deco chandelier, a parquet floor, gilt mirrors and black metal and glass display cases. A minimalist black love seat and sofa, zebra rug and mirrored coffee table round out the furnishings.

If the glamour of the interiors seems understated, it's the better to show off the work of Alber Elbaz, who took over the design reins in 2001 and slowly has transformed one of the oldest French fashion houses into a design powerhouse.

For the spring/summer collection – now in the boutique – Elbaz focused on several themes: asymmetry, sculpted silhouettes, jewel hues and the enduring beauty of black, with a dash of white.

Asymmetry has been a global fashion trend for several seasons, and Elbaz gave it freshness with softened geometric shapes hinting at the avant-garde. They recalled Frank Gehry's dynamic juxtaposition that made vibrant the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Elbaz's rendering of these shapes in permutations of black made it easy for the eye to focus on the silhouette and the fabrics. Those who enjoy being on the cutting edge might gravitate toward the shawl-collared tuxedo dress in barathea – a fabric typically used in menswear – that Elbaz stripped of one sleeve, but which he also sought to balance with satin bow details on the skirt.

Lanvin clients with a penchant for clothes that delineate their body might go for the halter jersey bodysuit with an asymmetrical wrap skirt in duchesse satin and contrasting satin belt with an obi bow, all of which are topped by an eye-catcher of a huge brass necklace.

That variety speaks to the range of women for which Elbaz designs. The Lanvin outfits that celebrities have been wearing these past several months also underscore just how far the house has come under Elbaz's tenure.

At the Oscars red carpet in February, Meryl Streep wore a blue, paillette-covered floor-length gown with a deep V, three-quarter length sleeves and a softly gathered waist. In contrast, Rihanna kicked off her "Diamonds" world tour last month in a sleeveless tuxedo suit embroidered all over with crystals and finished with several brass and crystal necklaces and a wide crystal and brass belt.

Even the Walt Disney Co. has turned to the house of Lanvin for a special occasion.

Minnie Mouse visited Elbaz months ago at his atelier in Paris and was fitted for a long-sleeve blue dress festooned with crystals and a tiara – enough sparkle for the 20th anniversary celebration of Disneyland Paris on March 23.

In case you're wondering, Minnie's frock is a one-of and won't be available at the South Coast Plaza boutique.

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The "salon" section of the Lanvin boutique features a zebra rug atop a parquet floor, both signatures in the interiors of Lanvin stores. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
The "salon" section of the Lanvin boutique features a zebra rug atop a parquet floor, both signatures in the interiors of Lanvin stores. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
The new Lanvin boutique is on level two between Macy's and Nordstrom at South Coast Plaza. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
One side of a two-faced wall features Lanvin signature eyewear, at the Lanvin boutique. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
Black display cases show off the summer collection of Lanvin bags. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
A black and white Lanvin shift with the Oracle brass necklace, Partition python camera bag, and ankle-strapped shoes. COURTESY OF LANVIN
Black display cases show off the summer collection of Lanvin bags. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
Minimalist display cases for shoes and jewelry mixed with gilt mirrors give the Lanvin boutique at South Coast Plaza a retro-modern look. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
A strapless top in duchesse satin with a short straight skirt, also in duchesse satin, Arpege ball evening bag and white ankle-strapped shoes, all by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. COURTESY OF LANVIN
Minimalist display cases for shoes and jewelry mixed with gilt mirrors give the Lanvin boutique at South Coast Plaza a retro-modern look. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
The Lanvin boutique at South Coast Plaza carries women's wear, shoes, bags and accessories. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
The Lanvin boutique at South Coast Plaza carries women's wear, shoes, bags and accessories. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
Women's accessories at the new Lanvin boutique at South Coast Plaza RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
One side of a two-faced wall features Lanvin signature eyewear, at the Lanvin boutique. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
The new Lanvin boutique is on level two between Macy's and Nordstrom at South Coast Plaza. RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING, COURTESY OF LANVIN
A black enamel Arpege minaudiere and and bottles of Arpege, Lanvin's fragrance that debuted in 1927. COURTESY OF LANVIN
A black enamel Arpege minaudiere and and bottles of Arpege, Lanvin's fragrance that debuted in 1927. COURTESY OF LANVIN
A Dedale necklace from Lanvin, which Oscar best actress nominee Emmanuelle Riva wore to the Academy Awards in February. COURTESY OF LANVIN
A Dedale necklace from Lanvin, which Oscar best actress nominee Emmanuelle Riva wore to the Academy Awards in February. COURTESY OF LANVIN
A black and white Lanvin shift with the Oracle brass necklace, Partition python camera bag, and ankle-strapped shoes. COURTESY OF LANVIN

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